Onsite mobile manufacturing platform

ABSTRACT

A mobile manufacturing platform including a control unit; a manufacturing unit operatively coupled to the control unit, the manufacturing unit configured to fabricate a component using an automated manufacturing process based on a three-dimensional solid model of the component; and a quality test unit operatively coupled to the control unit and configured to perform testing on one of the component and a sample of material used to fabricate the component; wherein the platform is configured for transport via a vehicle to a worksite.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/694,304, filed Sep. 1, 2017, which issued into U.S. Pat. No.10,558,198 on Feb. 11, 2020, which is hereby specifically incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD Field of Use

This disclosure relates to mobile manufacturing systems. Morespecifically, this disclosure relates to a system able to specify,fabricate, and evaluate a component of a water infrastructure system orother systems onsite.

Related Art

Repair of any large system including a water infrastructure system canrequire the replacement of certain components. Sometimes such a repaircan be predicted, but sometimes it can be required without warning at aninopportune time or in a remote location of the system. When a uniquecomponent that a serviceperson does not have “on hand” requiresreplacement, the time it takes to order, build, ship, and receive thereplacement component can take days or weeks. Sometimes the replacementpart is needed sooner than possible with conventional methods.

SUMMARY

It is to be understood that this summary is not an extensive overview ofthe disclosure. This summary is exemplary and not restrictive, and it isintended to neither identify key or critical elements of the disclosurenor delineate the scope thereof. The sole purpose of this summary is toexplain and exemplify certain concepts of the disclosure as anintroduction to the following complete and extensive detaileddescription.

In one aspect, disclosed is a mobile manufacturing system comprising: acontrol unit configured for ready portable transport via a vehicle froma storage site to a worksite and then back to the storage site, theworksite located remotely from the storage site; a three-dimensionalscanner operatively coupled to the control unit and configured forportable transport via the vehicle to the worksite, the scannerconfigured to convert the geometry of a first component of a waterinfrastructure system into electronic data based on a physical scan ofthe first component, a one of the scanner and the control unitcomprising a converter configured to convert the data into athree-dimensional solid model of the first component; and amanufacturing unit operatively coupled to the control unit andconfigured for ready portable transport via a vehicle to the worksite,the manufacturing unit configured to fabricate a second component of thewater infrastructure system using an automated manufacturing processbased on the solid model of the first component.

In a further aspect, disclosed is a mobile manufacturing systemcomprising: a server comprising a computer-readable storage medium, thecomputer-readable storage medium configured to selectively store datasufficient for defining at least a portion of specifications of a firstcomponent, the server further configured to selectively send the data toand receive the data from a certification agency; a mobile manufacturingplatform configured for transport via a vehicle to a worksite, theplatform comprising: a control unit operatively coupled to the server; athree-dimensional scanner operatively coupled to the control unit, thescanner configured to convert geometry of the first component intoelectronic data based on a physical scan of the first component; a oneof the control unit and the scanner comprising a converter configured toconvert the data into a three-dimensional solid model of the firstcomponent; a manufacturing unit operatively coupled to the control unit,the manufacturing unit configured to fabricate a second component usingan automated manufacturing process based on the solid model of the firstcomponent stored on the server; a quality test unit operatively coupledto the control unit and configured to perform testing on the secondcomponent and on dog bone samples of a batch of a material used tofabricate the second component; a material recycle unit operativelycoupled to the control unit and configured to receive the firstcomponent for disposal; and a power unit configured to power at leastone of the control unit, the scanner, the manufacturing unit, thequality test unit, and the material recycle unit; the power unitcomprising a power source comprising at least one of a battery and agenerator.

In yet another aspect, disclosed is a method of manufacturing acomponent of a water infrastructure system, the method comprising:carrying a mobile manufacturing platform with a vehicle from a storagesite to a worksite located remotely from the storage site, the mobilemanufacturing platform comprising: a control unit; and a manufacturingunit operatively coupled to the control unit; sending the solid model ofa first component or an equivalent thereof to the manufacturing unit;fabricating a second component using an automated manufacturing processbased on the solid model of the first component saved on acomputer-readable storage medium operatively coupled to the controlunit; and returning the system from the worksite to the storage site.

In a further aspect, disclosed is a mobile manufacturing systemcomprising: a control unit configured for ready portable transport via avehicle from a storage site to a worksite and then back to the storagesite, the worksite located remotely from the storage site; amanufacturing unit operatively coupled to the control unit andconfigured for ready portable transport via the vehicle to the worksite,the manufacturing unit configured to fabricate a component of the waterinfrastructure system using an automated manufacturing process based ona three dimensional solid model of the component saved on acomputer-readable storage medium operatively coupled to the controlunit; and a quality test unit operatively coupled to the control unitand configured to perform testing on the component.

In a further aspect, disclosed is a mobile manufacturing platformcomprising: a control unit; a manufacturing unit operatively coupled tothe control unit, the manufacturing unit configured to fabricate acomponent using an automated manufacturing process based on athree-dimensional solid model of the component; and a quality test unitoperatively coupled to the control unit and configured to performtesting on one of the component and a sample of material used tofabricate the component; wherein the platform is configured fortransport via a vehicle to a worksite.

In a further aspect, disclosed is a method of manufacturing a component,the method comprising: fabricating a component on a mobile manufacturingplatform at a worksite using an automated manufacturing process based ona solid model of the component saved on a computer-readable storagemedium operatively coupled to a control unit, the mobile manufacturingplatform comprising the control unit, a manufacturing unit operativelycoupled to the control unit, and a quality test unit; performing testingon one of the component and a sample of material used to fabricate thecomponent on the mobile manufacturing platform; and alerting a user ofthe mobile manufacturing platform as to whether a characteristic of theone of the component and the sample is within an acceptable range.

Various implementations described in the present disclosure may compriseadditional systems, methods, features, and advantages, which may notnecessarily be expressly disclosed herein but will be apparent to one ofordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following detaileddescription and accompanying drawings. It is intended that all suchsystems, methods, features, and advantages be included within thepresent disclosure and protected by the accompanying claims. Thefeatures and advantages of such implementations may be realized andobtained by means of the systems, methods, features particularly pointedout in the appended claims. These and other features will become morefully apparent from the following description and appended claims, ormay be learned by the practice of such exemplary implementations as setforth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate several aspects of the disclosureand together with the description, serve to explain various principlesof the disclosure. The drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may bedesignated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistencyand clarity.

FIG. 1 is a network diagram of a mobile manufacturing system comprisinga mobile manufacturing platform, in accordance with one aspect of thecurrent disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a computer architecture fornetwork devices, servers, and other computing devices described hereinas part of the mobile manufacturing system, in accordance with oneaspect of the current disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the mobile manufacturing platform ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart describing a process for repairing a waterinfrastructure system using the mobile manufacturing system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart describing a process for fabricating an objectusing the mobile manufacturing system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart describing a process for evaluating the propertiesof an object, including an object that has been fabricated using themobile manufacturing system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a side view of a water infrastructure system comprising twomisaligned pipes and a space therebetween, in accordance with one aspectof the current disclosure and in a condition for beingthree-dimensionally scanned.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the water infrastructure system of FIG.7.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the water infrastructure system of FIG. 7 witha fitting fabricated by the mobile manufacturing platform and installedusing the mobile manufacturing system.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the water infrastructure system of FIG.9.

FIG. 11 is a partial sectional side view of an additive manufacturingsystem using a selective laser melting (SLM) process in accordance withone aspect of the current disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference tothe following detailed description, examples, drawings, and claims, andtheir previous and following description. However, before the presentdevices, systems, and/or methods are disclosed and described, it is tobe understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specificdevices, systems, and/or methods disclosed unless otherwise specified,as such can, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that theterminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularaspects only and is not intended to be limiting.

The following description is provided as an enabling teaching of thepresent devices, systems, and/or methods in their best, currently knownaspect. To this end, those skilled in the relevant art will recognizeand appreciate that many changes can be made to the various aspectsdescribed herein, while still obtaining the beneficial results of thepresent disclosure. It will also be apparent that some of the desiredbenefits of the present disclosure can be obtained by selecting some ofthe features of the present disclosure without utilizing other features.Accordingly, those who work in the art will recognize that manymodifications and adaptations to the present disclosure are possible andcan even be desirable in certain circumstances and are a part of thepresent disclosure. Thus, the following description is provided asillustrative of the principles of the present disclosure and not inlimitation thereof.

As used throughout, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” includeplural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus,for example, reference to a quantity of one of a particular element cancomprise two or more such elements unless the context indicatesotherwise.

Ranges can be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value,and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range isexpressed, another aspect comprises from the one particular value and/orto the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed asapproximations, by use of the antecedent “about” or substantially,” itwill be understood that the particular value forms another aspect. Itwill be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges aresignificant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently ofthe other endpoint.

For purposes of the current disclosure, a material property or dimensionmeasuring about X or substantially X on a particular measurement scalemeasures within a range between X plus an industry-standard uppertolerance for the specified measurement and X minus an industry-standardlower tolerance for the specified measurement. Because tolerances canvary between different materials, processes and between differentmodels, the tolerance for a particular measurement of a particularcomponent can fall within a range of tolerances.

As used herein, the terms “optional” or “optionally” mean that thesubsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, andthat the description comprises instances where said event orcircumstance occurs and instances where it does not.

The word “or” as used herein means any one member of a particular listand also comprises any combination of members of that list.

Parts such as mechanical or electrical parts for systems large and smallare typically made in a factory using large fixed tooling and shipped tolarge warehouses for storage. Parts can be “made to order” (MTO) or“build to order” (BTO), in which case by definition production and insome cases even preparation for production (e.g. the purchase of certainraw materials) is not initiated until an order is received and processedby the factory. Such an MTO process, while minimizing or eliminatinginventory of excess parts and potentially per-piece cost (or “pieceprice”) if only large orders are accepted or smaller orders arecombined, can take days—or more likely weeks or months—to carry out fromstart to finish.

Parts can also be “made to stock” (MTS), in which case parts areproduced based on estimates of future customer needs and then stored ina warehouse or in a store until a customer orders or arrives to purchasea part. Such a MTS process, while minimizing lead time and piece price,can require the setting aside of large amounts of space to hold theinventory produced (and, in any case, will require the setting aside ofsome space). As typically implemented, both MTO and MTS productionsystems rely on the factory to fabricate specific parts using its large,fixed tooling and almost exclusively based on predetermined, fixeddesigns. With either system, one must choose between a shorter lead timeand low or no inventory. One cannot have both. In contrast, a mobilemanufacturing system such as that disclosed herein can result in shorterlead times and low or no inventory.

In one aspect, a mobile manufacturing system and associated methods,systems, devices, and various apparatuses are disclosed herein. In oneaspect, the mobile manufacturing system can comprise a control unit. Inother aspects, the mobile manufacturing system can comprise at least aone of a scanner and a manufacturing unit. The mobile manufacturingsystem can be configured to specify, fabricate, and evaluate a componentof a water infrastructure system or other systems onsite, i.e., at aworksite whether the work is being done or at a location proximate tothe worksite.

FIG. 1 shows a network diagram for a mobile manufacturing system 90comprising a mobile manufacturing platform 100. The system 90 canfurther comprise a server 110, a material storage unit 120, a network130 (which can be a cloud network or “cloud” in some aspects), atransport device 140, a certification agency 150, and a worksite 160.The server 110 can comprise a database.

As shown, the worksite 160 can comprise a water infrastructure system 50comprising components such as an original or first component 61 and areplacement or second component 62. The mobile manufacturing platform100 can comprise or be positioned on or within a vehicle 70, which canbe a truck as shown or any other vehicle including one configured totravel by air, water, road, or rail.

In some aspects, the server 110 can be operatively coupled to, forexample and without limitation, either the material storage unit 120 orthe certification agency 150 or, as shown, both the material storageunit 120 and the certification agency 150—and indirectly to the otherelements of the system 90. In some aspects, the material storage unit120 can be operatively coupled to, for example and without limitation,either the server 110 or the transport device 140 or, as shown, both theserver 110 and the transport device 140. In some aspects, the transportdevice 140 can be operatively coupled to, for example and withoutlimitation, either the material storage unit 120 or the mobilemanufacturing platform 100 or, as shown, both the material storage unit120 and the mobile manufacturing platform 100. As shown, for example andwithout limitation, the certification agency 150 can be operativelycoupled to, for example and without limitation, the server 110 or themobile manufacturing platform 100. The system 90 or at least a part ofthe system 90 such as the mobile manufacturing platform 100 can bepositioned on or proximate to the worksite 160. Any one or more of theelements of the system 90 can be operatively coupled to or otherwise incommunication with, for example and without limitation, the network 130,and through the network 130 to any other element of the system 90.

The server 110 can comprise a computer-readable storage medium (notshown) such as described below. The server 110 also represents any typeof networking equipment that has network traffic managementresponsibilities on or between one or more of the networks 130. Theserver 110 can comprise firmware (not shown, but see firmware or OS 222described below) that controls the operation and network trafficmanagement functions of the device. Extensions to the firmware can beimplemented by any combination of, for example and without limitation,firmware code modifications, additional software modules, shell scripts,and the like. The firmware can comprise various functions (not shown)for managing network traffic or a scheduler (not shown) for runningconfiguration, maintenance, and other processes at defined times andfrequencies.

The computer-readable storage medium can be configured to selectivelystore data sufficient for defining at least a portion of specificationsof a physical component of a system such as, for example and withoutlimitation, the component 61 of a water infrastructure system 50. Theserver 110 can be further configured to selectively send the datadescribing the component 61 to and receive the data from thecertification agency 150.

The manufacturer or supplier of the components 61,62 can store design ormanufacturing data on the server 110 or on any other device comprising acomputer-readable storage medium such as described below. Such data cancomprise, for example and without limitation, material type, materialstrength, component geometry, flow capacity, the existence ornon-existence of certain features, tool paths or manufacturingsequences, the existence or non-existence of approvals by thecertification agency 150, the applicability and terms of part and/orservice warranties, and any conditions or other details correspondingany of the above. The data for each of the components 61,62 can bedeveloped when each component 61,62 is initially designed or at anypoint in time afterwards and can be revised as needed at any point asneeded or desired.

The data can be embedded into each of the components 61,62 by anyapplicable technology such as, for example and without limitation, radiofrequency identification (RFID), and the mobile manufacturing platform100 can comprise a special reader or other device (not shown) or suchcapability can be incorporated into any electronic device including acellular-based device such as a smart phone or electronic tablet. Thedata can be electronically authenticated by a common digital signatureshared by all of the components 61,62 that are manufactured or certifiedby, e.g., the manufacturer or the certification agency 150, or by aunique digital signature that contains part number and serial number orsimilarly unique identifying information. The digital signature can beused to access the data from a database maintained in, for example andwithout limitation, the server 110 or the network 130.

The data can comprise, for example and without limitation, an expirationdate set by the manufacturer, certification agency, or other regulatorybody. Similarly to permissions embedded in a typical electronicdocument, the data embedded in the components 61,62 can compriseinformation from the manufacturer or the certification agency 150 onwhich individuals or entities are authorized by contract or otherwise toinstall, replace, use, or otherwise handle the components 61,62. Thedata can further facilitate charges or credits to an individual orentity for a particular use of the components 61,62, by, for example andwithout limitation, simultaneously charging the account of a customerreceiving and crediting the account of a serviceperson installing thecomponents 61,62 for work performed. Through the connection between theserver 110 and the network 130, the data can be accessed wirelessly fromthe network 130 via any device connectable to the network 130 such asthe mobile manufacturing platform 100 or elements thereof.

The component 61 of the water infrastructure system 50 can comprise, forexample and without limitation, a pipe or pipe segment 51,52, a pipefitting, a pipe coupling, a valve, a hydrant, or a leak detection systemcomponent. In some aspects, the component 61 can be formed from a rigidmaterial such as, for example and without limitation, a metal such asstainless steel or titanium, a plastic such as acrylonitrile butadienestyrene (ABS), a ceramic material, or any other material as desired. Inother aspects, the component 61 can be formed from a resilient materialsuch as a rubber or a rubber-like material. While it is not uncommon forthose who inspect and service systems such as the water infrastructuresystem 50 to carry extra parts for use in making typical repairsinvolving the replacement of the component 61, the size of somecomponents and the variety and number of components “in the field”generally can make it impractical or expensive to carry one of everyvariation of the component 61 that a serviceperson might possibly needto replace. This is especially true for industrial systems involvinglarger components. In addition, some components such as the component 61can fail not due to natural causes that a manufacturer or user orserviceperson might reasonable foresee (e.g., predictable wear, fatigue,or corrosion) but rather at an inopportune time due to unexpected damageto the water infrastructure system 50 caused by other causes such as,for example and without limitation, an accident involving the waterinfrastructure system 50, misuse of the water infrastructure system 50,or damage to the system caused by earthquakes, floods, falling trees, orother natural disasters. In other aspects, the component 62 need notreplace any pre-existing component, such as when the component 62 is theresult of a custom design process and not simply the replacement of apre-existing part. For example and without limitation, the component 62can be designed and fabricated to join misaligned pipe segments (e.g.,with a coupling, an adapter, or an elbow) in a way that no“off-the-shelf” or standard part could.

FIG. 2 is a schematic or block diagram illustrating various aspects of acomputing architecture 200 for networking equipment and other computingdevices utilized in the mobile manufacturing system 90. The computingarchitecture 200 can be utilized in the server 110, the material storageunit 120, the transport device 140, the certification agency 150, themobile manufacturing platform 100 or any portion thereof, cloud-basedservers, or other computer systems described herein or for performingthe methods described herein. As shown in this aspect, the computingarchitecture 200 can comprise processing resource(s) 210 and a memory220. The computing architecture 200 can further comprise input/outputdevices 230 and network interfaces 240. The components of the computingarchitecture 200 can be interconnected and can be made to communicatewith each other via a system bus interface or system bus 250 or othersuitable communication devices.

The processing resource(s) 210 can comprise, for example and withoutlimitation, one or more general-purpose or specific-purpose processors,microcontrollers, FPGAs, and/or the like for controlling the operationsand functions of the server or device. In some implementations, theprocessing resource(s) 210 can comprise a plurality of processors,computers, servers, or other processing elements for performingdifferent functions within the computing architecture 200. The memory220 can comprise any combination of volatile and non-volatile memory.For example and without limitation, volatile memory can comprise randomaccess memory (“RAM”), dynamic RAM (“DRAM”), static RAM (“SRAM”), andthe like, while non-volatile memory can comprise read only memory(“ROM”), electrically erasable programmable ROM (“EEPROM”), FLASHmemory, magnetic storage devices, such as a hard-disk drive (“HDD”),optical storage devices, such as a DVD-ROM drive, and the like. Thememory can be configured to store any combination of information, data,instructions, software code, and the like.

In some aspects, the memory 220 can be configured to store a firmwareand/or operating system (“OS”) 222 for controlling the basic operationof the device or server. The memory 220 can further store applicationprogram(s) 224 and application data 226 for performing the specificprocesses or functions for operating the system 90 as described herein.For example and without limitation, the memory 220 of the server 110 canstore various control modules for operating individual elements of thesystem 90 and for facilitating communication between these individualelements and/or the individual elements inside the mobile manufacturingplatform 100. In addition, other modules or services can be stored inone or more memories 220 and run on the same or different computersystems and/or servers.

In addition to the memory 220, the computing architecture 200 cancomprise other computer-readable media storing information, data,instructions, software code, etc. It will be appreciated by thoseskilled in the art that computer-readable media can be any availablemedia that can be accessed by the computing architecture 200 such as,for example and without limitation, computer-readable storage media andcommunications media. Communications media can comprise, for example andwithout limitation, transitory signals. Computer-readable storage mediacan comprise, for example and without limitation, volatile andnon-volatile, removable and non-removable storage media implemented inany method or technology for the non-transitory storage of information.For example and without limitation, computer-readable storage media cancomprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, FLASH memory, or other solid-state memorytechnology, DVD-ROM, BLU-RAY or other optical storage, magneticcassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices and the like. In other aspects, the computingarchitecture 200 can comprise computer-readable media storingprocessor-executable instructions that cause the processing resource(s)210 to perform aspects of the methods 400,500,600 described herein inregard to FIGS. 4-6.

The input/output devices 230 can comprise various input mechanisms andoutput mechanisms. For example, input mechanisms can comprise variousdata entry devices such as, for example and without limitation,keyboards, keypads, buttons, switches, touch pads, touch screens, cursorcontrol devices, computer mice, stylus-receptive components,voice-activated mechanisms, microphones, cameras, infrared sensors, orother data entry devices. Output mechanisms can comprise various dataoutput devices such as, for example and without limitation, computermonitors, display screens, touch screens, audio output devices,speakers, alarms, notification devices, lights, light emitting diodes,liquid crystal displays, printers, or other data output devices. Theinput/output devices 230 can also comprise interaction devicesconfigured to receive input and provide output such as, for example andwithout limitation, dongles, touch screen devices, and otherinput/output devices, to enable input and/or output communication.

The network interfaces 240 can comprise various devices for interfacingthe computing architecture 200 with one or more types of servers,computer systems, and communication systems, such as, for example andwithout limitation, a network interface adaptor as is known in the art.The network interfaces 240 can comprise devices for communicatingbetween and among the server 110 and the other elements of the system 90over the network(s) 130, for example.

In some aspects, each component of the computing architecture 200 asshown can comprise multiple components on multiple computer systems of anetwork. For example, the computing architecture 200 can compriseservers such as, for example and without limitation, applicationservers, file servers, database servers, web servers, etc., forperforming various functions described herein. The servers of thecomputing architecture 200 can for example be physically separatecomputer servers or virtual servers hosted in a virtual environment,among other implementations. In further aspects, one or more componentsof the computing architecture 200 can be combined in a single physicalcomponent. For example, the processing resources 210, the memory 220,the network interfaces 240, and the system bus 250 can be combined in asingle system-on-chip (SoC) hardware implementation. It will beappreciated that the server 110 and/or other computing resources of thesystem 90 may not comprise all of the components shown in FIG. 2, maycomprise other components that are not explicitly shown in FIG. 2, ormay utilize an architecture completely different than that shown in FIG.2.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic diagram for the mobile manufacturing platform100 and select elements of the mobile manufacturing system 90. Themobile manufacturing platform 100 can comprise a control unit 310, ascanner 220, a manufacturing unit 330, a power unit 340, a quality testunit 350, and a material recycle unit 360. While not necessarily part ofthe mobile manufacturing platform 100, the mobile manufacturing system90 can again comprise the network 130, the transport device 140, thecertification agency 150, and the worksite 160.

Exemplary connections inside the mobile manufacturing platform 100 (asshown in FIG. 3) and between each of the mobile manufacturing platform100, the server 110, the material storage unit 120, the network 130, thetransport device 140, the certification agency 150, and the worksite 160are shown in FIG. 3 using one of three different line types. A solidline represents a physical connection, a coarse dashed line representsthe exchange of information, and a fine dashed line represents theexchange of energy or material. What is shown in one aspect in any oneof FIGS. 1-3 as one particular line type, for example a solid line, inother aspects can be shown in one of the other two line types. As shown,more than one type of exchange can occur—for example, both informationand material in several exchanges as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the material storage unit 120 can beconfigured to store at least one of raw materials (not shown), partiallyfabricated parts (not shown), and fabricated parts (not shown) for useby the system 90. Raw materials can comprise, for example and withoutlimitation, materials for use by the mobile manufacturing platform 100including the manufacturing unit 330 for fabricating or evaluatingcomponents built or to be built by the system 90. More specifically, rawmaterials can comprise, for example and without limitation, a resin or ametal in filament or powder form for use by the aforementionedthree-dimensional printer to fabricate parts in an additivemanufacturing process; or materials such as cast or molded metal orplastic used by the manufacturing unit 330 to fabricate parts in asubtractive manufacturing process. In yet other aspects, materials suchas a pelletized resin can be used in a molding process or discretestrips or layers of materials such as carbon fiber or fiberglass can beused in a glass-laying process. Partially fabricated parts can comprisecomponents having a generic shape that can be further processed (bymachining, for example) to create a component having a custom shape fora particular application. Fabricated parts can comprise complete,finished parts that are ready for installation as-is in a system such asthe water infrastructure system 50.

Any one of the raw material, the partially fabricated parts, and thefabricated parts can be supplied by the original manufacturer or anagent or designated vendor thereof. Such as, for example and withoutlimitation, in the case of filament for the three-dimensional printer,the raw material filament can be delivered in cartridges andauthenticated as manufactured or certified by the original manufacturerof the components 61,62. The raw material, the partially fabricatedparts, and the fabricated parts can optionally be stored on or in thevehicle 70 as space is available.

The network 130 can be a cloud computing system, which can be a systemof data storage, processing, or transmission services hosted on theInternet. The network(s) 130 can represent local area networks (LANs),wide area network (WANs), and/or other data, communication, ortelecommunication networks that collectively make up the Internet. Infurther aspects, any network(s) 130 that support the TCP/IP protocol maybe utilized. For example, the server 110 may represent an Internetrouter designed for an environment based on popular SoC hardwareimplementations. In further aspects, the server 110 may represent anenterprise gateway, a wireless access point, a smart network switch, orthe like.

The transport device 140 can be configured to transport the at least oneof the raw materials, the partially fabricated parts, and the fabricatedparts from the material storage unit to the worksite. The transportdevice 140 can be a vehicle other than the vehicle 70 able to carry apayload over a distance from the material storage unit 120 to the mobilemanufacturing platform 100. A transport device 140 can comprise, forexample and without limitation, a truck, any devices, systems, andmethods used a courier service, or an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV),i.e., a drone.

The certification agency 150 can comprise a server configured to holdinformation or collect information about engineered products such as acomponent of the aforementioned water infrastructure system. Thecertification agency 150 can be, for example and without limitation, theNational Sanitation Foundation (associated with the “NSF” certificationmark), Underwriters Laboratories (associated with the “UL” certificationmark), or Intertek (associated with the “ETL” certification mark) andthe server for the certification agency 150 can be configured to receivedata such as the aforementioned data related to the fabrication of thecomponent and grant certification or approval based on pre-determinedagency requirements that can be shown to have been met based on thedata.

In some aspects, as shown in FIG. 3, the network 130 can be operativelycoupled to, for example and without limitation, the control unit 310 ofthe mobile manufacturing platform 100—and indirectly to the otherelements of the mobile manufacturing platform 100 and the system 90. Insome aspects, the transport device 140 can be operatively coupled to,for example and without limitation, the manufacturing unit 330 of themobile manufacturing platform 100. As shown, for example and withoutlimitation, the certification agency 150 can be operatively coupled to,for example and without limitation, the control unit 310 of the mobilemanufacturing platform 100. The system 90 or any one or more of thesystem 90 such as the control unit 310, the scanner 320, themanufacturing unit 330, the power unit 340, the quality test unit 350,or the material recycle unit 360 can be positioned on or proximate tothe worksite 160.

Inside the mobile manufacturing platform 100, the control unit 310 canbe operatively coupled to, for example and without limitation, thescanner 320, the manufacturing unit 330, or the quality test unit 350.The manufacturing unit 330 can be operatively coupled to the power unit340, the quality test unit 350, or the material recycle unit 360.

The control unit 310 can be configured for ready portable transport viathe vehicle 70 from a storage site to the worksite 170 located remotelyfrom the storage site and then back to the storage site. “Portabletransport” means that the control unit (or other component of the system90) can be moved from one location to another. “Ready portabletransport” means that it is designed to be moved and used in multiplelocations on a regular or rotating basis such as, for example andwithout limitation, on or inside a truck or other vehicle 70. “Portabletransport” does not include a system that requires extensive bolting andunbolting to a fixed location move it, and “readily portable” does notinclude a system that must be loaded and unloaded from the truck orvehicle each time.

The control unit 310 can be configured to operatively couple to theserver 110. More specifically, the control unit 310, indirectly throughthe network 130 or directly can send data to or receive data from theserver. The control unit 310 can further be configured to control anyof, for example and without limitation, the scanner 320, themanufacturing unit 330, and the quality test unit 350.

The mobile manufacturing platform 100 can comprise a scanner 320, whichcan be three-dimensional scanner operatively coupled to the control unit310. The scanner 320 can be configured for ready portable transport viathe vehicle 70 to the worksite 160. The scanner 320 can be configured toconvert the geometry of the first component 61 of the waterinfrastructure system 50 into electronic data based on a physical scanof the first component 61. Additionally, a one of the scanner 320 andthe control unit 310 can comprise a converter or converter module (notshown) configured to convert the data into a three-dimensional solidmodel of the first component 61.

The scanner 320 can comprise solid-state electronics. The scanner 320can comprise a movable scanning head. The scanner 320 can be powered bya battery or by the power unit 340. The scanner 320 can be configured tocommunicate wirelessly with any other component of the system 90including, for example and without limitation, the network 130, thecontrol unit 310, and the manufacturing unit 330.

The scanner 320 can be any device configured to “read” and “record” andthereby generate data based on the physical geometry of the components61,62. The scanner 320 can comprise scanning technologies such as, forexample and without limitation, an optical scanning technology (e.g.,using a laser), an X-ray scanning technology, or an ultrasonic scanningtechnology. The output of any of these scanning processes can be a“point cloud,” from which the converter, can create thethree-dimensional solid model, or multiple point clouds are otherimages, taken from multiple views as appropriate, from which theconverter can effectively reconstruct the shape of the component 61,62,the space or gap to be filled, or, for example and without limitation,the pipes 51,52 (shown in FIG. 1) to be joined. The converter cancomprise software (i.e., a module or modules implementing a set ofinstructions) running on, for example and without limitation, thenetwork 130, the control unit 310, or the scanner 320.

The generated solid model can be further processed by this or othersoftware operating on or in the control unit 310, the scanner 320, themanufacturing unit 330, or some other element of the mobilemanufacturing platform 100 to incorporate custom design offsets andtransition couplings or adaptors (e.g., when pipe segments needing to bejoined are misaligned). The software and any device on which it operatescan further generate designs for custom valves and other componentshaving, e.g., unique ends to match inlet and outlet pipes of differentsizes, custom geometry such as a bypass on a gate valve, and additionalfeatures such as sensors or other electronic equipment. Moreover, thecontrol unit 310, the scanner 320, the manufacturing unit 330, or someother element of the mobile manufacturing platform 100 can be powered byan artificial intelligence (AI) engine as will be described below.

The scanner 320 or some other element of the mobile manufacturingplatform 100 can further comprise a spectrometer (not shown) such as,for example and without limitation, an X-ray mass spectrometer able toidentify a specification of a material forming the first component 61 bymeasuring and analyzing, for example and without limitation, thematerial's component elements.

In some aspects, the manufacturing unit 330 can be configured tofabricate the second component 62 of the water infrastructure system 50using the specifications of the first component 61 stored on thecomputer-readable storage medium of the server 110. In other aspects,the manufacturing unit 330 can be configured to fabricate the secondcomponent 62 of the water infrastructure system 50 without thespecifications of the first component 61, for example and withoutlimitation, when an entirely new branch or component is added to thewater infrastructure system 50. The manufacturing unit 330 can beoperatively coupled to the control unit 310 and configured for readyportable transport via the vehicle 70 to the worksite 160. Themanufacturing unit 330 can be configured to fabricate the secondcomponent 62 of the water infrastructure system 50 using an automatedmanufacturing process based on the solid model of the first component61.

In some aspects, the manufacturing unit 330 can comprise an automatedmanufacturing device using an additive manufacturing process such as,for example and without limitation, the three-dimensional printer. In anadditive manufacturing process, material is generally built up or addedin increments to fabricate each component through a process such as, forexample and without limitation, sand printing, plastic printing, or weldprinting. In yet other aspects, the manufacturing unit 330 can comprisea hybrid manufacturing system comprising both additive and subtractivemanufacturing processes. The raw material used by such a printer can be,for example and without limitation, a light-cure resin or a powder. Inother aspects, the manufacturing unit 330 can comprise an automatedmanufacturing device using a subtractive manufacturing process such as,for example and without limitation, a vertical machining center or alathe. In a subtractive manufacturing process, material is generally cutaway or otherwise removed in increments to fabricate components. In yetother aspects, a manufacturing process utilized by the manufacturingunit 330 involves neither the addition or removal of material per se,such as when a component 61,62 is formed through a molding process byinserting a molten material into a cavity of a mold. For example andwithout limitation, each of the components 61,62 can be fabricated as amonolithic casting or portions of the components 61,62 can be fabricatedas monolithic castings and can be assembled together or otherwiseprocessed or machined to create the finished component 61,62. Eachmonolithic casting can be formed from a single material in a singlecasting operation and without any welds or mechanical connections suchas threading, flanges, fasteners, interference fits, adhesives, brazing,soldering, or other mechanical methods of connection except as desired.

Additive manufacturing refers to a process in which a three-dimensional(3D) object can be formed by depositing or bonding successive layers ofmaterial to previously formed layers of material. Additive manufacturingcan comprise different types of processes such as a deposition, a lightpolymerization, a powder bed, or a lamination process. For example, in adeposition process, material can be selectively deposited according to across-section of the 3D object corresponding to that layer. The materialcan be deposited through methods such as extruding a material in amolten state, which can fuse to the previous layer or depositingmaterial in the form of a wire or granule while applying an energysource such as an electrical current or laser to fuse the material tothe previous layer. The material is only applied to areas correspondingto the cross-section of the layer. Deposition processes can comprise,for example and without limitation, fused deposition modeling,robocasting, directed energy deposition, electron beam freeformfabrication, 3D printer extrusion, and material jet printing.

By contrast, in a powder bed process, a layer of loose granular materialcan be evenly applied in a bed or a job box, and areas of the layercorresponding to the cross-section of the 3D object for that layer canbe selectively treated to fuse or bind the material together. In somepowder bed processes, a glue or binder can be selectively sprayed on thelayer of granular material which binds the loose granular materialtogether to form the cross-section. In some powder bed processes, anenergy source such as a laser, an electron beam, or an electricalcurrent can be selectively applied to melt and sinter the granularmaterial corresponding to the cross-section of the 3D object. Successivelayers can be sintered or bound to previous layers, and the remainingloose granular material can be removed leaving the 3D object behind uponcompletion. Powder bed processes can comprise, for example and withoutlimitation, binder jetting, 3D sand printing, direct metal lasersintering, electron beam melting, selective heat sintering, andselective laser melting, which will be described in more detail below.

Light polymerization processes can be similar to powder bed processeswith the difference being that the material is often deposited as aliquid, such as a polymer resin in a bath or a vat instead of a job box.The material can be selectively treated with an energy source such as alight source, a heat source, or a laser corresponding to thecross-section for the layer. The energy source can cause the material tosolidify, thereby forming the cross-section of the 3D object for thelayer. Light polymerization processes can comprise, for example andwithout limitation, stereolithography and digital light processing.

Lamination processes supply material in the form of a foil or a film,often fed from a roll, which can be treated with an adhesive or bondedby other means. The material is fed over a platform upon which the 3Dobject is built. A mechanical means, such as a blade, or an energysource, such as a laser, can cut out the first layer corresponding tothe first cross-section of the 3D model from the material and depositsthe material on the platform. The platform can then lower and a newportion of the foil or film can be fed over the platform, and asuccessive layer can be cut out corresponding to a second cross-sectionof the 3D object. The successive layer can then be bonded to theprevious layer by the adhesive. Lamination processes can comprise, forexample and without limitation, laminated object manufacturing andultrasonic consolidation.

When forming the mold in the 3D sand printing process, which canincorporate both additive and non-additive processes, a first arm of a3D sand printing machine can deposit a thin, substantially planar layerof sand in the job box. The layer of sand can have a layer thickness. Asecond arm can traverse over the layer of sand and selectively spray abinder on the layer of sand corresponding to the cross-section of the 3Dobject for a first layer. Areas of the sand sprayed by the binder cancement together while areas not sprayed by the binder can remain looseand granular. The layer can be selectively sprayed with the binder onthe layer of sand corresponding to the cross-section of the mold for thefirst layer at a first mold height. The cross-sections of the mold canbe formed such that solid portions of the component 61,62 can correspondto voids in the mold, and openings or cavities in the component 61,62can correspond to solid portions of the mold.

The job box can then be lowered by an incremental distance equal to thelayer thickness, and the first arm can then deposit a successive planarlayer of sand. The second arm can then traverse over the successivelayer of sand, and can selectively spray the binder on the successivelayer of sand corresponding to a cross-section of the mold of a secondlayer at a second mold height which can cement the sprayed areas and canbond the sprayed areas of the second layer to the sprayed areas of thefirst layer. The process can repeat, alternatively depositing thesubstantially planar layers of sand and then selectively spraying thebinder on the layer of sand until the mold has reached its full height.The mold can be built up from the bottom layer by layer until the moldis fully formed.

Once the mold is fully formed, the sand that has been treated by thebinder becomes the mold while the untreated sand remains loose andgranular and can be shaken, vacuumed, blown, or brushed away. In someaspects, the mold can comprise multiple subcomponents which can be gluedor mechanically connected to assemble the mold. The mold can definevents to allow air to escape when molten material is poured into themold. The mold can define a component mold cavity formed complimentaryto a shape of the component 61,62.

Upon assembling the mold, a molten material, such as molten metal, canbe poured into the mold. After the molten material has solidified, thecomponent 61,62 can be removed from the mold. Because the mold is madeof sand, it can be destroyed to remove the component 61,62 and any moldcores that are present. The mold can be broken up by mechanical meanssuch as with a hammer, chisel, or drill, by vibrations such as withultrasonic waves, or by spraying with water such as from a high-pressuresource. In some aspects, the binder can be water-soluble. In otheraspects, the mold can be re-used. In other aspects, the component 61,62can be formed by 3D printing the respective component 61,62 from asuitable material directly rather than 3D printing the mold as a toolfor use in casting the component 61,62.

In other aspects, the component 61,62 can be formed by an investmentcasting process. A master pattern of the component 61,62 can be formed,such as by an additive manufacturing process. The master pattern can besubstantially identical in shape and size to the component 61,62 or asubcomponent thereof. The master pattern can be used to cast a mastermold or a master die around the master pattern, thereby producing amaster mold cavity shaped complimentary to the component 61,62 or asubcomponent thereof. So-called “wax patterns” can then be cast withinthe master mold cavity from materials such as plastic, wax, or foam. Thewax patterns can also be substantially identical in shape and size tothe component 61,62 or a subcomponent thereof. In some investmentcasting processes, individual wax pattern subcomponents can be assembledto form an assembled wax pattern which can be substantially identical inshape and size to the component 61,62.

A ceramic mold, or an investment, can be formed by applying and curingcoats of ceramic refractory material to the wax pattern. Once theinvestment has cured, the wax pattern can then be melted or vaporizedout of the investment, leaving an open investment cavity formedcomplimentary to the component 61,62. The component 61,62 can then becast in the investment by pouring molten material into the openinvestment casting. Upon solidification of the molten material, thecomponent 61,62 can be divested or removed from the investment.Operations such as media blasting, hammering, vibration, or waterjetting can be used to divest the component 61,62 from the investment.Alternatively, an additive manufacturing process could be used to formthe individual wax patterns rather than the master pattern.

Either one of the scanner 320 and the manufacturing unit 330 or both canbe configured to “park” or securely hold in place certain componentssuch as spindles, scanning heads, or print heads, which can be moresensitive to vibration encountered during movement of the vehicle 70comprising the mobile manufacturing platform 100. A “parking” processcan secure such components of the scanner 320 or the manufacturing unit330 for transportation. The scanner 320 or the manufacturing unit 330can then undergo an “un-parking” and calibration process when the mobilemanufacturing platform 100 is onsite at the worksite 160. The scanner320, the manufacturing unit 330, or any other element of the mobilemanufacturing platform 100 can be mounted on an anti-vibrationshock-dampening system and otherwise configured for mobile transportacross air, sea, and land, including across rough terrain.

The mobile manufacturing platform 100 can further comprise a qualitytest unit 350. The quality test unit 350 can be operatively coupled tothe control unit and configured to perform testing on the secondcomponent 62 and on “dog bone” samples (not shown) of a batch of amaterial used to fabricate the second component 62. The dog bone sampleis sometimes so named because it resembles a dog bone with two wide endsjoined by a narrower central section. The two ends of the sample to betested are typically made wider to be able to be gripped tight duringtesting and withstand any loads encountered during the test, and thecentral section is typically made smaller or narrow so as to predictablyfail during the test, the central section being the area of smallestcross-section and therefore the weakest point.

The quality test unit 350 can comprise a tensile test unit (not shown),which can be configured to perform tensile testing on the dog bonesamples of the batch of a material used to fabricate the secondcomponent 62. More specifically, the manufacturing unit 330 can print adog bone sample corresponding to each of the three axes, and the tensiletest unit of the quality test unit 350 can test each sample to verifythe strength of the material in each of three axes as formed using themanufacturing unit 330. Similarly, air or nitrogen or another fluid canbe used to leak test or pressure test valves and pressure vesselsfabricated with the manufacturing unit 330. In yet another aspect, anyother kind of testing such as, for example and without limitation,non-destructive testing (NDT) to inspect for cracks and other defects,hardness testing to evaluate material hardness, and surface finishtesting to evaluate surface roughness can be performed. Each set of datagathered from the testing, which can be called quality assurance (QA)data, can be stored on the control unit 110, the network 130, the server110, the digital signature associated with the component 62, or someother element of the mobile manufacturing platform 100 or the mobilemanufacturing system 90. The QA data can be stored for a variety ofpurposes such as, for example and without limitation, warrantyconfirmation and claims, insurance confirmation and claims, and otherpurposes requiring historical documentation.

The mobile manufacturing platform 100 can further comprise a materialrecycle unit 360. The material recycle unit 360 can be operativelycoupled to the manufacturing unit and configured to receive andrepurpose by various methods such as, for example and withoutlimitation, crushing, melting, grinding, mixing, purifying, separating,pelletizing, and extruding. In some aspects, a resin material recoveredfrom the first component 61 can, for example and without limitation, becrushed, ground, melted, purified, and extruded into new filament foruse in fabricating the second component 62 using the manufacturing unit330. In other aspects, a metallic material recovered from the firstcomponent 61 can, for example and without limitation, be crushed andground into powder for use in fabricating the second component 62 usingthe manufacturing unit 330.

The mobile manufacturing platform 100 can further comprise a power unit340, which can be configured to power at least one of the control unit310, the scanner 320, the manufacturing unit 330, the quality test unit350, and the material recycle unit 360. The power unit 340 can comprisea power source comprising at least one of a battery (not shown) and agenerator (not shown). Where a battery is used, the battery can be arechargeable battery. The mobile manufacturing platform 100 can becertified by Underwriter's Laboratories (UL) or similar certificationorganizations (e.g., Intertek/ETL and NSF) against applicable electricalsafety and other standards and can also be certified against ingressprotection (IP) and other industry standards.

A method of manufacturing the second component can comprise carrying amobile manufacturing platform 100 with a vehicle 70 from a storage site(not shown), which can be located anywhere, to a worksite 160 locatedremotely from the storage site. The method can further comprise sendingthe solid model of the first component 61 or an equivalent thereof tothe manufacturing unit. An exemplary equivalent of the solid model ofthe first component 61 can be data such as the aforementioned pointcloud from a three-dimensional scanner such as the scanner 320 that canbe converted into the solid model. Another exemplary equivalent of thesolid model of the first component 61 can be an identifier such as adrawing number or file name or model number that points to the solidmodel or the location in which it the solid model is stored. The methodcan further comprise fabricating a second component 62 using anautomated manufacturing process based on the solid model of the firstcomponent 61 saved on the computer-readable storage medium operativelycoupled to the control unit 310.

The method can further comprise scanning into electronic data with thescanner 320 the three-dimensional geometry of the first component 61.The method can further comprise converting the data into athree-dimensional solid model of the first component 61 using theconverter. The method can further comprise sending the data from thecontrol unit 310 to the server 110 and storing the data on thecomputer-readable storage medium. The method can further comprisesending the data to or receiving data from the certification agency 150.

The method can further comprise storing at least one of raw materials,partially fabricated parts, and fabricated parts in a material storageunit 120 located separately from the worksite 160 and the vehicle 70;and transporting the at least one of the raw materials, the partiallyfabricated parts, and the fabricated parts from the material storageunit 120 to the worksite 160. The method can further comprisefabricating the second component 62 with the aforementionedthree-dimensional printer.

The method of using the mobile manufacturing platform 100 andparticularly the quality test unit 350 can further comprise fabricatinga dog bone sample—in any one of multiple orientations or axes where thestrength may vary between orientations based on the manufacturingprocess—from a batch of a material used to fabricate the secondcomponent 62; performing tensile testing on the dog bone sample;comparing a tensile strength of the dog bone sample with a referencestrength of the material used to fabricate the second component; andalerting a user of the system as to whether the tensile strength of thedog bone sample is within an acceptable range about the referencestrength of the material.

The method can further comprise receiving the first component 61 fordisposal within the material recycling unit; and converting the firstcomponent 61 into a recyclable form. The can further comprise taggingthe second component 62 with a digital signature that providesinformation about the second component 62. The method can furthercomprise scanning the first component 61 with the aforementionedspectrometer to identify a specification of a material forming the firstcomponent 61.

As shown in FIG. 4 (and as will be described below with respect to FIGS.7-10), a method 400 for repairing (or otherwise modifying) a system suchas the water infrastructure system 50 using the system 90 can comprisesteps 410 through 470. A step 410 can comprise failure of the component61 at issue (or realization of a need to design and/or install a newcomponent), at which time the process for repair can be initiated. Astep 420 can comprise a technician, a third party, or the waterinfrastructure system 50 itself sending notification of failure of thecomponent. A step 430 can comprise dispatching a mobile manufacturingplatform 100 to the worksite 160 at which the component 61 is located. Astep 440 can comprise three-dimensionally scanning the component 61 orthe system 90 requiring the component 62 with the scanner 320. Thecomponent 62 can then, for example and without limitation, be fabricatedand transported from a remote location (i.e., not at the worksite 160)based on the data gathered from the scanning process or can befabricated and/or evaluated onsite at the worksite 160.

When the component 62 is fabricated and transported from a remotelocation, a step 450 can comprise matching the data gathered at theworksite to a component 62 matching the required specifications andordering the component 62. In another aspect, without a need forscanning the geometry of the component 61, a chip or tag (e.g., usingRFID technology) can be located in the component 61 and the chip or tagcontaining model number information, serial number information, or otherinformation can be directly obtained. Such identifying information canbe used to identify the geometry for the component 62 in the server 110or an already fabricated component 62. A step 460 can comprisedelivering the component 62, e.g., by the transport device 140. When thecomponent 62 is fabricated onsite, a method or process 500 (i.e., theFabrication Process) can comprise fabricating the component 62 and amethod or process 600 (i.e., the Quality Control Process) can compriseevaluating the fabricated component 62. Finally, a step 470 can comprisephysically installing the second component 62 in the waterinfrastructure system 50 (or other relevant system).

As shown in FIG. 5, the method 500 for fabricating a component such asthe second component 62 can comprise steps 510 through 570. In someaspects, a step 510 can comprise scanning the first component 61 withthe scanner 320. In other aspects, the first component 61 need not bescanned but rather a gap between the two pipes 51,52 as shown in FIG.7), which may or may not be filled by a standard or “off-the-shelf”component. A step 520 can comprise gathering data on the first component61 from the scanner 320. A step 530 can comprise developing an itemrecipe for the second component 62. A step 540 can comprise sending therecipe and/or a report to a user of the system 90. A step 550 cancomprise the user approving the item recipe. A step 560 can comprisegathering supplies required to fabricate the second component 62.Finally, a step 570 can comprise physically fabricating the secondcomponent 62.

The aforementioned item recipe, which can be saved inside the controlunit 310, can comprise a variety of pieces of information. Morespecifically, the item recipe can comprise, for example and withoutlimitation, the manufacturing method, the material specification, thematerial source, the three-dimensional geometry of the component, themanufacturing timelines, or other types of data described above. Themanufacturing method portion of the item recipe can comprise informationon whether the second component 62 is to be made at the worksite 160 orelsewhere, whether the manufacturing method is to be an additive orsubtractive process, and whether one machine or another within themanufacturing unit 330 is to be used to fabricate the second component62. The material specification portion of the item recipe can compriseinformation on the color or strength of the material or on specificproperties of the desired material for a particular project. Themanufacturing timeline portion of the item recipe can compriseinformation on the time for processing, fabricating, curing, testing,and checking for a particular project.

The method 600 for evaluating a second component 62 can comprise steps610 through 670. A first step can comprise testing the second component62 according to one of a plurality of test recipes 610,620,630. A step640 can comprise gathering and storing the data resulting from thetesting. A step 650 can comprise comparing the data to reference values.A step 660 can comprise notifying a user of the system of the results. Astep 670 can comprise communicating the results to or otherwisecommunicating with the certification agency 150.

The test recipe 610 can comprise steps 612 through 616. A step 612 cancomprise fabricating an item such as the second component 62. A step 614can comprise performing a dimensional check on the item. A step 616 cancomprise performing a leak check on the second component 62. The leakcheck can be a non-destructive test that pressurizes the secondcomponent 62 to a pressure equaling the design pressure, which ensuresthat the second component 62 can withstand the design pressure of thesecond component 62, i.e., the pressure that the second component 62 isdesigned to withstand under use.

The test recipe 620 can comprise steps 622 through 626. A step 622 cancomprise fabricating an item such as the second component 62. A step 624can comprise performing the aforementioned leak test on the secondcomponent 62 to provide baseline data. A step 626 can compriseperforming a pressure test on the second component 62. The pressure testcan be a burst test that pressurizes the second component 62 to apressure equaling several times the design pressure (including, e.g., asafety factor), which ensures that the second component 62 can withstandthe intended burst pressure of the second component 62, i.e., thepressure that the second component 62 is designed to withstand beforefailure or the pressure at which the second component 62 is designed tofail.

The test recipe 630 can comprise steps 632 through 636. A step 632 cancomprise fabricating strength test specimens such as the aforementioneddog bone samples. A step 634 can comprise performing a dimension checkon the strength test specimens. A step 636 can comprise performingspecimen strength tests on the strength test specimens.

A variety of circumstances can lead to a need for onsite scanning,fabrication, evaluation, and/or other processing of a component 62 usingthe system 90. For example and without limitation, a technicianresponsible for all or portions of the water infrastructure system 50,such as a utility company employee or a third party monitoring orservice company employee, can locate and discover a need to replace abroken fitting such as the component 61. The technician can then contacta supplier of the component 61 or other fittings of that type, and thesupplier can send the mobile manufacturing platform 100 to the worksite160. An operator of the mobile manufacturing platform 100, havingalready identified the fitting and noting that the installation is astandard installation, can download the design specifications for thecomponent 61 already saved on the server 110 from the server 110 to thecontrol unit 310 via the network 130. The operator can then fabricatethe new replacement fitting, which can be the component 62, using a 3Dprinter of the manufacturing unit 330 of the mobile manufacturingplatform 100. The operator can evaluate and verify the strength of thematerial and the process used to fabricate the replacement fitting byusing the quality test unit 350 and, for example and without limitation,the methods described herein.

In other aspects, for example and without limitation, a valve may needto be built, in which case a different 3D printer of the manufacturingunit 330 using a different additive manufacturing process can be used tofabricate a valve body and a bonnet of the valve, and a gate and a stemof the valve can be delivered by a car and the fasteners used toassemble the valve can be delivered by drone.

As another example and an illustration of the process for onsitescanning, fabrication, and installation of a component 62, a pipe elbowcan fail at a water pumping station. The mobile manufacturing platform100 can be dispatched to the worksite 160 and put to work scanning thepipes 51,52 and manufacturing a suitable replacement component 62. FIGS.7-10 show such the water infrastructure system 50 of such a casecomprising two misaligned pipes 51,52 (separately defining misalignedaxes 511,521, respectively) that need to be joined with a new component62. The pipes 51,52 are surrounded by earth 55.

FIG. 7 shows the water infrastructure system 50, after the earth 55 iscleared to provide access to the pipes 51,52, in a condition for beingthree-dimensionally scanned by the scanner 320 from scanning positions710,720,730. The pipes 51,52 can be marked or simply cleaned tofacilitate accurate identification in the scanned data of each of aplurality of holes 518,528 in facing flanges 515,525, respectively, oneach pipe 51,52. The scanner 320 can comprise any available scanningdevice and can mount on a stand to fix its location during the scanningprocess. For example and without limitation, the scanner 320 cancomprise equipment such as a FAROblu Laser Line Probe HD available fromFARO Technologies, Inc. of Lake Mary, Fla.; a Structured Light ScannerPro S3 3D scanner available from HP Inc. of Palo Alto, Calif.; or aHandyScan 3D scanner available from Creoform Inc. of Levis, Quebec,Canada. The scanner 320 can utilize a scanning technology such as, forexample, structured light, photogrammetry, and laser triangulation. Thescanner 320 can comprise or be configured to convert or process thecollected data using or in cooperation with software such as, forexample and without limitation, Geomagic Solutions from 3D Systems ofRock Hill, S.C.; Pro/Engineer from PTC Inc. of Needham, Mass., andMetrolog X4 from Metrologic Group S.A.S. of Meylan, France.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the water infrastructure system of FIG.7 showing additional scanning positions 810,820. In some aspects, only asingle scanning process is necessary. In other aspects, multiplesscanning processes from several scanning positions 710,720,730,810,820can be performed. Once the data resulting from the scanning process(es)are “reconstructed,” i.e., converted into 3D geometry usable by themanufacturing unit 330, a device such as, for example and withoutlimitation, a 3D printer can directly fabricate the component 62 or canindirectly fabricate the component 62 by, for example and withoutlimitation, a 3D sand printing process described above.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the water infrastructure system 50 with thecompleted component 62 installed therein. A plurality of fasteners519,529, which can be stored in the material storage unit 120 (shown inFIG. 1) and delivered to the worksite 160 by the transport device 140(e.g., a drone or a truck or any other vehicle), can be used to join andsecure the component 62 to the respective pipes 51,52. The waterinfrastructure system 50 can then be returned to service.

FIG. 11 shows one example of an additive manufacturing system 1100configured to perform a selective laser melting (SLM) process to producean object 1190 (which can be a component 61,62). As referenced above,the SLM process can be considered a powder bed process of additivemanufacturing. The additive manufacturing system 1100 can comprise alaser 1110 that produces a beam 1112, a mirror 1120, a powder deliverysystem 1130, a roller or blade 1140, and a build space or build system1150. The beam 1112 can be directed towards a burning point 1116 of asurface of the build system 1150 by tilting and focusing a mirror 1120as needed. The powder delivery system 1130, configured to deliver powder1160 to the build system 1150, can comprise a powder delivery piston1135 that can be raised as shown to maintain the supply of the powder1160. The build system 1150 can comprise a fabrication piston 1155 thatcan be lowered in the vertical direction as shown to lower the object1190 as successive layers are added using the process.

The selective laser melting process starts by slicing thethree-dimensional solid model (i.e., the three-dimensional CAD model)into layers, typically from 20 to 100 micrometers thick, creating atwo-dimensional (2D) image of each layer using, for example and withoutlimitation, an industry standard format such as the STL file format usedin many layer-based 3D printing or stereolithography technologies. Theresulting file is then loaded into a file preparation software packagethat assigns parameters, values and physical supports that allow thefile to be interpreted and built by various types of additivemanufacturing systems such as the additive manufacturing system 1100shown.

In the SLM process, thin layers of atomized fine metal powder can beevenly distributed using a coating mechanism onto a substrate plate,often metal, which can be fastened to the fabrication piston 1155. Thisprocess can take place inside a chamber containing a tightly controlledatmosphere of inert gas such as, for example and without limitation,argon or nitrogen at oxygen levels below 500 parts per million. Onceeach layer has been distributed, each 2D slice of the part geometry canbe fused by selectively melting the powder. This can accomplished withthe beam 1112, which can be produced by a fiber laser with hundreds oreven thousands of watts. The beam 1112 can be directed in theX-direction 1101 and Y-direction (not shown) with the mirror 1120. Thelaser energy can be made intense enough to permit full melting (and thuswelding) of the particles to form solid metal. The process can berepeated layer after layer until the object 1190 has been completelyformed.

The blade 1140, which can be a roller in other aspects, can be used totransfer powder from the powder delivery system to the build system1150. In some aspects, the mirror 1120 can be moved in the X-direction1101 to move the burning point 1116 in the X-direction. In otheraspects, the build system 1150 can be moved in the X-direction 1102 toproduce the same result. After the build process is complete, the unusedpowder around the object 1190 can be blown or cleaned away.

Compared to additive manufacturing processes such as the SLM process,traditional manufacturing processes can have a relatively high set-upcost (e.g., for creating a mold). While the object 1190 when made by theSLM process can have a higher piece price because of the time requiredto build the part (compared to a single shot molding or casting process,for example), it can nonetheless be a useful method, including when onlya few parts are to be produced or one part is to be produced.

Other processes, such as the selective laser sintering (SLS) process,can heat the powder up to a specific point where the powder grains canfuse together but without fully melting the powder into a morehomogeneous part as in the SLM process.

It is contemplated that the operator of the mobile manufacturingplatform 100 or a remote user of the system 90 can modify scannedgeometry of the component 61,62 or geometry for a component 61,62downloaded from the server 110 using a 3D computer-aided drafting (CAD)program or other program operating on or in communication with themobile manufacturing platform 100. The operator or the user can makethese modifications onsite at the worksite 160 or remotely by inputtingcertain variables (e.g., wall thickness), incorporating desired features(e.g., lifting lugs for heavier parts or reinforcement ribs forcomponents 61,62 that the user or technician knows may be subjected tocertain loads) or to otherwise improve, update per recent code, orotherwise modify the base design. In some aspects, such as when noexisting part is available (such as shown in FIG. 7), the operator orthe user can design such a part “from scratch” or from a generic modelsuch as a parametric model in the aforementioned Pro/Engineer software(also known as PTC/Creo), which can enable the operator or the user tocombine the dimensions or data captured at the worksite 160 with thedesign intent captured already in the generic model by simply adjustingcertain dimensions in the model, assembling in virtual space such asusing Pro/Engineer to check for fit, and continuing with any one or moreof the processes or methods described herein. In other aspects, an AIengine can perform steps that would otherwise be performed by theoperator or the user by learning about the system 90, searching for anddownloading any data on the required specifications from the server 110,and going through any one or more of the processes or methods describedherein.

One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain aspects include, while other aspects do notinclude, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, such conditionallanguage is not generally intended to imply that features, elementsand/or steps are in any way required for one or more particular aspectsor that one or more particular aspects necessarily comprise logic fordeciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether thesefeatures, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed inany particular aspect.

It should be emphasized that the above-described aspects are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any processdescriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood asrepresenting modules, segments, or portions of code which comprise oneor more executable instructions for implementing specific logicalfunctions or steps in the process, and alternate implementations areincluded in which functions may not be included or executed at all, maybe executed out of order from that shown or discussed, includingsubstantially concurrently or in reverse order, depending on thefunctionality involved, as would be understood by those reasonablyskilled in the art of the present disclosure. Many variations andmodifications may be made to the above-described aspect(s) withoutdeparting substantially from the spirit and principles of the presentdisclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is intended tocover any and all combinations and sub-combinations of all elements,features, and aspects discussed above. All such modifications andvariations are intended to be included herein within the scope of thepresent disclosure, and all possible claims to individual aspects orcombinations of elements or steps are intended to be supported by thepresent disclosure.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A mobile manufacturing system comprising: acontrol unit configured for ready portable transport via a vehicle froma storage site to a worksite and then back to the storage site, theworksite located remotely from the storage site; a manufacturing unitoperatively coupled to the control unit and configured for readyportable transport via the vehicle to the worksite, the manufacturingunit configured to fabricate a component of a water infrastructuresystem using an automated manufacturing process based on athree-dimensional solid model of the component saved on acomputer-readable storage medium operatively coupled to the controlunit; and a quality test unit operatively coupled to the control unitand configured for ready portable transport via the vehicle to theworksite and to perform testing on one of the fabricated component and asample of a batch of a material used to fabricate the component, thetesting comprising one of hardness testing to evaluate a materialhardness of the fabricated component and surface finish testing toevaluate surface roughness on the fabricated component.
 2. The mobilemanufacturing system of claim 1, further comprising a transport deviceconfigured to transport at least one of raw materials, partiallyfabricated parts, and fabricated parts to the worksite.
 3. The mobilemanufacturing system of claim 2, wherein the transport device is anunmanned aerial vehicle (UAV).
 4. The mobile manufacturing system ofclaim 1, wherein the quality test unit is configured to perform tensiletesting on one of the fabricated component and on the sample of thebatch of the material used to fabricate the component.
 5. A mobilemanufacturing platform comprising: a control unit; a manufacturing unitoperatively coupled to the control unit, the manufacturing unitconfigured to fabricate a component of a water infrastructure systemusing an automated manufacturing process based on a three-dimensionalsolid model of the component, the manufacturing unit comprises athree-dimensional printer; and a quality test unit operatively coupledto the control unit and configured for ready portable transport via avehicle to a worksite and to perform testing on one of the fabricatedcomponent and a sample of a batch of a material used to fabricate thecomponent, the testing comprising one of hardness testing to evaluate amaterial hardness of the fabricated component and surface finish testingto evaluate surface roughness on the fabricated component; and whereinthe platform is configured for transport via the vehicle to theworksite.
 6. The mobile manufacturing platform of claim 5, wherein thequality test unit comprises a tensile test unit configured to performtensile testing on the sample of the batch of the material used tofabricate the component.
 7. The mobile manufacturing platform of claim5, further comprising a transport device configured to transport atleast one of raw materials, partially fabricated parts, and fabricatedparts to the worksite, the transport device being an unmanned aerialvehicle.
 8. A method of manufacturing a component, the methodcomprising: fabricating, via a manufacturing unit, a component of awater infrastructure system on a mobile manufacturing platform at aworksite using a three-dimensional printer based on a solid model of thecomponent saved on a computer-readable storage medium operativelycoupled to a control unit, the mobile manufacturing platform comprisingthe control unit, the manufacturing unit operatively coupled to thecontrol unit, and a quality test unit; performing, via the quality testunit operatively coupled to the control unit and configured for readyportable transport via a vehicle to a worksite, testing on one of thefabricated component and a sample of a batch of a material used tofabricate the component on the mobile manufacturing platform, thetesting comprising one of hardness testing to evaluate a materialhardness of the fabricated component and surface finish testing toevaluate surface roughness on the fabricated component; and alerting auser of the mobile manufacturing platform as to whether a characteristicof the one of the fabricated component and the sample of the batch ofthe material used to fabricate the component is within an acceptablerange; and wherein the platform is configured for transport via thevehicle to the worksite.
 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the platformfurther comprises a three-dimensional scanner operatively coupled to thecontrol unit, the method further comprising: scanning into electronicdata with the scanner three-dimensional geometry of the component, a oneof the control unit and the scanner comprising a converter; convertingthe data into the solid model of the component using the converter;sending the data from the control unit to a server comprising thecomputer-readable storage medium; and storing the data on thecomputer-readable storage medium.
 10. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising transporting at least one of raw materials, partiallyfabricated parts, and fabricated parts to the worksite with an unmannedaerial vehicle (UAV).
 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the qualitytest unit further comprises a tensile test unit, the method furthercomprising: fabricating the sample from the batch of the material usedto fabricate the component; and performing tensile testing on thesample.
 12. The method of claim 8, further comprising sending data onthe fabricated component to a certification agency.
 13. The method ofclaim 11, further comprising: comparing a tensile strength of the samplewith a reference strength of the material used to fabricate thecomponent; and alerting the user of the mobile manufacturing platform asto whether the tensile strength of the sample is within an acceptablerange about the reference strength of the material.
 14. The method ofclaim 8, further comprising tagging the fabricated component with adigital signature that provides information about the fabricatedcomponent.
 15. The method of claim 14, further comprising storingquality assurance data gathered from the testing in the digitalsignature.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein storing quality assurancedata gathered from the testing in the digital signature comprisesstoring the quality assurance data on a radio-frequency identification(RFID) tag.
 17. The method of claim 8, further comprising performingpressure testing on the one of the fabricated component and the sampleof the batch of the material.
 18. The method of claim 8, furthercomprising performing non-destructive testing on the one of thefabricated component and the sample of the batch of the material. 19.The method of claim 8, wherein performing testing on the one of thefabricated component and the sample of the batch of the material used tofabricate the component comprises performing hardness testing on the oneof the fabricated component and the sample of the batch of the material.20. The method of claim 8, wherein performing testing on the one of thefabricated component and the sample of the batch of the material used tofabricate the component comprises performing surface finish testing onthe one of the fabricated component and the sample of the batch of thematerial.